Nissan shows 350Z concept at FoS

Supercharged coupé adds 25% more power

More FoS news rolling in with the scuttlebutt that Nissan is to show off a supercharged version of the 350Z.

In its first ever outing, the new GT-S concept will take the hill climb and be on display in the supercar paddock. Power is up 25 per cent to 377bhp and torque takes a hike to 313lb-ft, thanks to the Novidem supercharger, resulting in it taking just 4.8 seconds to hit 60mph. This compares to figures for the standard car of 296bhp and 260lb-ft of torque, and a sprint figure of 5.8 seconds.

And it sounds better, too, thanks to an electronically controlled by-pass valve that enriches the exhaust note at a pre-determined engine speed.

Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) engineers, who tuned the original 350Z to suit European roads and our higher speeds, have undertaken the suspension changes. Working closely with specialists from Bilstein, the changes concentrate on optimising road performance, with improvements in both handling ability and ride comfort, particularly on British ‘B’ roads. Wider wheels and tyres complete the chassis alterations.

A wind tunnel developed body/aero kit from German firm Strosek not only gives the all-black GT-S a distinctive look, but also improves the 350Z’s aerodynamic performance with increased front and rear downforce at speed. The package is completed by a NVH pack which makes the GT-S even more civilised than the standard 350Z.

The project’s technical leader Steve Robbins said: "We could have produced a balls-out racer with huge power outputs and very little suspension movement. But while this would have created a superb racer, it would have been virtually unusable on the road. Instead we approached the GT-S from an engineering stand-point with a view to creating a 350Z that provides more of everything: performance, handling, looks, comfort and excitement.

"We also looked at the possible marketing potential of such a project and have designed the improvements as individual ‘packs’ – an engine pack, a suspension pack, aero pack and so on – and kept a close eye on costs."

How they did it

Designed to appeal to enthusiastic 350Z owners who simply want more, this will be the fourth year in succession Nissan’s 350Z has starred at the Festival, and each year the Z taking part has become more extreme. In 2003, shortly after its UK launch, a standard road car more than held its head high among supercars that cost four or five times as much.

In 2004, Nissan’s communications department, headed by Wayne Bruce, had a standard road car modified with parts from Nissan’s aftermarket performance arm and registered the car with the number GB53 ZZZ.

Last year, a 350Z Nismo GT was imported for the Festival, but for 2006 Bruce decided to continue the Z/Goodwood story with a special version built in-house and in the UK. He turned to European engineering director Jerry Hardcastle for help and they kick-started the GT-S project.

Although boasting a power hike and a substantially modified chassis, the GT-S, also wearing that GB53 ZZZ registration number, is not a stripped out racing car with a rock hard ride and a peaky power delivery.

Bruce said: "The GT-S has been created as a real car not an ornament. We wanted to build a ‘Club Special’ that could still be used to commute to work during the week but would provide added thrills at the weekend: a weekday workhorse and a weekend warrior in one distinctive package."

Robbins, who during the week is a senior engineer in the new vehicle evaluation team at NTCE, gathered together half a dozen like-minded enthusiasts to work on the project. Working after hours and at the weekend, the team members came from within NTCE and also from outside suppliers and was known internally as the S-Club Seven.

So will the GT-S ultimately become more than a weekend project by a group of mavericks? Nissan is saying nothing officially, though insiders point to its appearance at Goodwood as a sign the company is giving the GT-S concept serious consideration.

Sweet...

OP Posts Only

Prev 2 Next

OP Posts Only

Author

Discussion

tuttle

Original Poster

3,427 posts

243 months